TuesdayMarch 20,2018

Sit-in protesters explode in celebration of Gov.Onaga’s revocation of approval of landfill for new US base

Hiroji Yamashiro (right), the director of the Okinawa Peace Movement Center, and other sit-in members rejoiced at long-awaited news in front of Camp Schwab at Henoko, Nago, at 10 a.m. on October 13. Governor Takeshi Onaga revoked the former governor's approval of landfill in Henoko.

October 13, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo

On the morning of October 13, Governor Takeshi Onaga revoked his predecessor’s approval of landfill for a new U.S. base in Henoko, Nago.

Sit-in protestors in front of Camp Schwab U.S. Marine Base at Henoko rejoiced at the governor’s announcement.

At a sit-in tent in front of the camp, citizens listened to a live broadcast of the governor’s announcement.

When the governor stated that he had revoked the approval of the landfill, applause erupted from the citizens, and celebratory whistles sounded.

Some people performed the Kachashi dance in jubilation on the road.

Hiroji Yamashiro, the director of the Okinawa Peace Movement Center who has recovered from illness and continues to protest, said, “The Governor’s revocation came just in time for the important aspect for our struggle.”

He predicted that the central government would take hardline countermeasures against the governor’s decision. He said, “We will not lose to the governments of Japan and the United States. With the governor, we will continue to struggle to stop construction of the new U.S. base.”